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A. 0. BROWN 8v H. A. C(SAUNDERS. TBLEPHONIG AND TBLEGRAPHIG SIGNALING APPARATUS.

No. 259,359. Patented June 13, 1882.

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A. 0. BROWN & H. A. 0. SAUNDERS. TELEPHONIG AND TELEGEAPHIO SIGNALING APPARATUS.

No. 259,359. Patented June 13, 1882'.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED (J. BROWN AND HENRY A. (l.

SAUNDERS, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

TELEPHONIC AND TELEGRAPHIC SIGNALING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 259,359, dated June 13, 1882, Application tiled February .2, 1882. (No model.) Patented in England July 7, 188], No. 2,905.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALFRED CHARLES BROWN and HENRY ALFRED CHARLES SAUN- DERS, subjects of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at 66 Old Broad Street, in the city of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephonic and Telegraphic Signaling Apparatus, (for which we have received Letters Patent in England, No. 2,995, dated July 7, 1881,) of which the following is a specification.

The object of our invention is to facilitate the iutercommunication between several telephone ortelegraph stations on oneand the same wire. For this purpose we employ apparatus so arranged that not only can any station call up and place itself in direct communication with any other station on the same wire without having to go through a central oflice, but also so that none of the other stations can interrupt or hear what is passing between the two stations occupying the wire; and when telephonic apparatus is used we so arrange the apparatus that upon the caller replacing the telephone upon the switch hook, upon which the telephone is ordinarily suspended while out of use, his bell will commence to ring and continue ringing until he clears the line by bringing all the instruments back to their normal position, and also so that all the stations in circuit can see that the lineis engaged and also which station has been called up.

We accomplish the above objects in the following manner: Each subscriber has a set of instruments similar to those shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, in which Fig. l is afront elevation of the call-instrument or signaling apparatus, including the locking mechanism for shutting out all stations except the caller and called stations and preventing them from tapping the line. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same call-instrument or signaling apparatus. Both of these figures are shown with the cover carrying the ringingbutton and dial removed, but with their positions indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the switch-bell transmitter which we use with the call-instrument, with the door open to show the inside. Fig. 4 is a detail drawing of the slotted disk used together with the ringing-spring movement. Fig. 5 is a diagram of another form which may be used instead ot'the slotted disk,with its accompanying mechanism. Fig. 6 is a diagram view, showing the arrangement of apparatus on circuit. Fig. 7 is a detail view, showing the cam on the arbor and the contact-springs N and 0. Fig. 8 is a detail view, showing clearly the construction of the slotted disk; and Fig. 9 is a detail view, showing the construction of the lightning-guard.

The apparatus may be thus described, similar lettering being used throughout: In Fig. 1, A is a base-board, on which is mounted a clock-frame, B, carrying a coiled spring and train of wheels, which actuate a main arbor or axle, G. The clock-work is controlled by an elcctro-magnet, D, having a pivoted armature drawn off the magnet by an adjustable spring, I), and to which is attached a pallet working into and controlling a scapc'wheel or arm, E, mounted on an arbor carrying a pinion, c,which gears into a wheel on the main arbor O, the wheel and pinion being properly proportioned according to the number of stations the instruments are to control, giving a different position of the arbor for each station. The scapewheel may be on the arbor C; but it is more convenient to have it on a sepa a te axis, geared as described. In the drawings a scape-wheel with two arms or teeth, 0, is indicated. Or we can use, instead of the above arrangement, astep-by-step motion, actuated directly by the armature of the electro-magnet, without the aid of clock-work, and turning the main arbor 0 either directly or through the medium of gearing, the essential feature being simply that the arbor 0 shall be turned according to some fixed ratio of the number of makes and breaks caused at the callingstation, or, in other words, according to the attractions and cessations or reductions of attraction of the electro-magnet D on its armature, or of reversals of polarity if a polarized arrangement be used. We can use any arrangement which shall do this. The electro-magnet D may be excited either by the line-current direct or by a local current controlled by a relay in the linecircuit.

The main arbor O at each station carries a hand or pointer, F, to indicate on the dial G the number of signals or calls made at the calling-station, as will hereinafter be described.

The arbor also carries a compound slotted disk or locking-plate, H, and a cam, I.

The compound slotted disk H is composed 5 of two pieces of metal electrically insulated from one another, and the upper or outer piece alsoinsulated from the arbor (Clearly shown in Fig. 8.)

K is a ringing-key, consisting of a spring, which is attached in any suitable way to the main framcwork, but electrically insulated therefrom. It is capable of being pressed by a plunger, (1, which projects through the case, as indicated in the drawings.

L is a cross-spring normally bearing on and making contact with the end of the ringingspring K, and also electrically insulated from the main frame-work.

The above-mentioned two springs, with the disk H, can be seen more clearly in the detail views, Figs. 4 and 8, and in Fig.2. The width of the slot h in this disk is so proportioned relatively to the width of the end of the ringing-spring K that when the hand or pointer stands at its normal zero position, (hereinafter called its first open position,) or midway between the highest number or last signal on the dial and its normal zero position, (hereinafter called its second open position,) the end of the spring Kis capable of passing through the slot from one side of the disk to the other; but when the pointer is in any other position the end of the spring K is not capable of so passing through the slot, but is locked on the one or other side of the disk,as it maybe placed, and according to whether or not it was pressed through the slot when the hand or pointer started from its normal zero or first open position, and ifit was so pressed through it can only return to the upper or outer insulated side of the disk when the hand comes round to its second open position.

In Fig. 5 the place of the slotted disk is taken by a lever, H, pivoted at one end and pulled in one direction by a spring, its motion being limited by a pair of studs, a a. This lever is raised by a cam on the main arbor 0 when the hand or pointer is in either of its open positions, but freed by the cam and allowed to move over bythe pull of the spring when the hand is in any other-position. The end of the ringing-spring K is capable of passing from one side to the other of the lever H when the latter is lifted. bythe cam,but is not capable of so passing when the lever is not so lifted.

It is evident that the above lockin g arrangement maybe constructed in a varietyof ways, so that a piece of solid material will allow another piece of solid material to pass from the one side to the other of the first piece when the hand or pointer is in either of its open positions, but will not so allow it to pass when the hand is in any other position,but will then t5 5 lock it on the one side or the other of the first piece, according as it was placed prior to the hand moving from its first open position and until the hand comes round to its second open position.

When, in response to the given number of calls or makes and breaks at the calling station caused by depressing the button d, the hand or pointer at the called station comes opposite to the number or signal on the dial denoting the station in which that particular instrument is placed, the end of the cam I on arbor 0 comes in contact with and slightly lifts the ends of two springs, lettered respectively N and 0, (see also Fig. 7,) and in so doing lifts the spring N outof contact with a screw-stud, c, with which it normally. makes contact when not lifted by the cam. The springs N and O are secured on the frame by a piece of insulating materiaLN, as indicated in the drawings, so as to be insulated from the frame and from each other; or they may be attached in any other suitable manner. therefore is placed at a different angle relatively to the hand or pointer in each instrument on the circuit, so that the above-described operation will only take place at a station when its special number is indicated on its dial.

Another spring, P, is secured to the main frame-work by an insulating attachment at p similarly to K and L, which are insulated at their points of attachment 1 and k, and is so placed that when theringing-sprin gKispressed by its button (I, P is allowed to fall upon and make contact with a screw-stud, p, in metallic connection with the main frame-work; but at other times is held out of contactwith the stud p by means of the springK, from which it is, however, insulated by an interposed strip of insulating material.

The internal connections of the call or signal instrument are as follows: A wire leads the current from the terminal marked line 1 (or L) first to a screw-connection, f, where it joins a wire, 1 from the lightning-guard P.

The cam I This lightning-guard may be of any ordinary form, but consists in the instrument shown (illustrated in detail in Fig. 9) of three insulated wires, 1 l 1 twisted together and passed into a piece of tube. One end of each of these wires is then out OK short, and the other ends are joined respectively to the wires leading from the line L, or left-hand upper terminal,

the earth or center'terminal, E,and the line 2 or L or right-hand terminal, as shown in the drawings. Thereisconsequently no road whatever for the ordinary current through the guard; but should an intense lightning-flash come along the line it will fuse the insulating covering off the wires, and so take the short circuit afforded by their contact to go direct to earth. From this point the circuit, which is indicated by the solid plain arrow, from the terminal L goes on by wire or through the coils of the electro-magnet D, (or, it a relay be used, through the relay-coils instead, the movement of the relay-armature putting the local current onto the coils of D,) thence by wire m to the ringing-spring K, which is normallyin contact with spring L; thence by wire 00 from the spring L to the spring N, which is normallyin contactwith the screw-stud c; and from thence by wire 4r" to the terminal marked line L ant secondary S to line L calling on its way at the screwconnectionf, where itjoins the second wire, 1 from the lightningguard.

From the terminal market local copper (or L C) the circuit indicated by the dotted arrow runs as follow: A wire, 1 leads to the crossspring P, and from thence by 3 to the spring 0 of the pairofsprings NO, and from the main frame-work B a wire, 1 leads to the terminal marked secondaryl and transmitter copper, (or S and T G.) This circuit is brokenbetween the spring 0 and clock-frame when the instrument is in its normal condition.

The switch-bell transmitter, Fig. 3, is the one we prefer to use with our signal-instrument, although others may be employed. Itconsists of a transmitter, an induction-coil, a switchhook, which may be of any ordinary form, and an ordinary trembling or vibrating bell for giving a continuous ring.

The connections are as follows: The circuit represented by dotted arrows runs by a wire, 11 from the terminal marked secondary l and trausmittercopper, (orS and T0,) to the end Q, of the switch-hook, or to the pivot thereof if a pivoted book be used,and from thence by wire y on to onepole, S ,of the secondary coil of the induction-coil, and from the opposite pole, S, of the secondary coil, by wire f, to one ot'the pair of terminals T, to which the telephonewires are attached. From the other one of this pair of terminals T a wire, y, leads to the under stud, Q, of the switch-hook, (or that stud with which the hook makes contact when the telephone is hungthereom) and thence by wire 3 t0 the terminal market "secondary 2, or S and to line.

From the pole S ofthc secondary coil, which is connected with the wire y, a wire, o, runs to one pole, B, of the bell-coils, as shown.

From the upperstuthQ of the switch-hook (or that stud with which the hook is in contactwhen the telephone is oft the book) a wire, 2, extends to the bell-post or second electrical pole, B of the bell apparatus, and from said post awire,e, extendsto the lower hingeot'the instrument. From the other side of this hinge the circuit runs to transmitter T T, from the transmitter by wire. 2 to the upper hinge, and from the upperhinge by wire 2 to one pole, P ofthe primary of the induction-coil, and from the other pole, P, f the primary coil by wire 2' to the terminal marked local zinc or LZ. This circuit is represented by the arrow-heads only.

The switclrbeil transmitter is connected to the call instrument or signal by wires 9 and 3 joining the terminals marked respectively S and T J and on the switch-bell transclosed circuit, because then one strong linebattery will work the whole circuit and supply all the instruments thereon, as shown.

When thehands of alltheinstruments stand at zero it is open to any subscriber to call any other by pressinghis ringing-plunger d. This presses spring K, Figs. 1, 2, and 4, through the slot h in the disk H and breaks its contact with spring L, which latter now rests on the insulated ring or outer side of the disk, there by momentarily interrupting the circuit L, 00, 00, m and 00 (represented by the solid arrow,) which goes to line. This interruption of the line releases the armature ot' the electro-magnet D of every instrument on the circuit, and the armature is drawn back by its spring, and the apparatus at all the stations advances one step. Then on the releaseot'the plungerdspring K will come back and make contact with the back of the disk H, which is in electrical connection with the arbor 0, thereby again completing the line-circuit through the arbor 0, frame B, wires M, 1 and y*, secondary of induction-coil, wire p telephone, and. wires y and 3 to line, this circuit being represented through the frame B of the call apparatus by the dotted arrow. The telephone and secondary will, however, be short cireuited so long as the telephone hangs on the hooks-that is, the current from the main line in wire y will be short circuited through hook Q, stop Q, and wire if, to line. It is not necessary thereforeto signal through the secondary and telephone at the calling-station. The armature of the electro-magnet l) is therefore again attracted when the circuit is completed, as just mentioned, and the apparatus at all the stations advances another step. By therefore pressing the plunger (2 in and out the calling subscriber can, by alternately breaking and making the main-line circuit, bring the apparatus at all the stations round to the number to which he wants to speak, and there stop.

The direct connection ofspring K with spring L having been broken by pressing the spring K through the disk, the spring L will simply rest on the upper or insulated side of the disk. As this consists of an insulated ring of metal, the rubbing of the metallic surfaces as the disk revolves will always keep the contact of the spring clean. The spring K is in like manner kept clean by rubbing on the inner side of the disk.

When the spring K is depressed or pushed in, as above described, it allows the cross-spring P to make contact with its screw-stud 1) in the mainframe-wo1k,and thusputs thelocalcurrent onto the bell and transmitter. This circuit is represented by the arrow-heads only, and runs from local copper L O, through spring P, stud 1), frame B, wires Q/2 f g a, bell-coils, wire z,

transmitter T T, wires 2 2 primary of induction-coil, and by wire z, to local zinc L Z.

The local circuit is completed at the same moment that the mainline current is diverted through the switch bell transmitter. An amount of current, therefore, equal to the capac ity of thelocal circuit will pass over that circuit, while the balanceof the current cominginto the instrument by wire 3 will be shunted through the telephone-hook and cut the secondary of theinduction-coil and telephone outofthe main line, as above mentioned. The bell will therefore ring until the caller takes his telephone from its hook, and thereby short-circuits the hell out of the local circuit, as will be presently described; Now, when the operator at the callin g-station has made the required signal to call a given station-that is, has operated the button d the proper number of times-he takes his telephone off the hook preparatory to listening for the receiver to reply by calling yes. By this removal of the telephone from its hook the short-circuit of the line-current through hook, stop Q, and wire 3 is broken and the secondary and telephone are thrown into the main line, and at the same time the bell-coils will be cut out of the local circuit, the local current being short eircuited from wire 3 through hook Q, stop Q wire 2 z, &c., and the local current will thus be concentrated on the transmitter. The calling station is now ready for communications.

When at the call-station the pointer indicates its number on the dial the cam on arbor G, by making contact with and lifting spring N off its screw-stud c, breaks the direct-line circuit at that point and completes the circuit through the arbor, frame B, wires y g and y, secondary, and telephone, to line, as described in connection with the calling-station. At the same time the cam makes contact with spring 0 and puts the local current onto the bell and transmitter together, so that the bell at that station will continue to ring until answered. This local circuit runs from local copper L 0, through wire y 3 spring 0, cam (3, frame B, wires g 3 3 y, bell-coils,-wire z, transmitter T T, wires 2 and 2, primary of induction-coil, and by wire 2*, to local zine L Z. The taking of the telephone ofi the hook by the receiving subscriber preparatory to calling yes through the transmitter will, however, cutout the bellcoils, short-circuiting the current from wire y through hook Q and wire 2 z, &c., and so stop the bells sounding, and at the same time concentrate the local current onto the transmitter; and by the act of lifting the telephone from the hook the secondary and telephone, which until then were short-circuited through the hook,stop Q, and wire 3 as described in connection with the calling-station, are thrown into the main line. The called station is now ready for communication.

Referring to Fig. 3, it should be noted that the bell, together with the transmitter and primary coil, are all placed in series in one circuit,'also that the action of the switch-hook is to simply short circuit the bell, and so cut out its resistance and stop its sounding when the telephone is taken off the hook, or to keep the telephone and secondary coil short-cireuited, and so cut out their resistances when the telephone is hanging'on the hook.

Although the resistance of two telephones and secondaries will be thrown into the linecircuit between the two stations when they are ready for communication, yet, since the armatures are all up against the electro-magnets 1), the weakened current is quite sufficient to hold them there.

When communication has ceased and the telephone is hung up again the bell will be thrown into the local circuit again and will commence to ring, thus giving the caller an unmistakable signal to clear the line should he tend to omit to do so. This he does by hanging up his telephone and again pressing the button in and out until the apparatus comes round to zero, when the ringing-spring K will come up through the slot in the disk, thus lifting spring P out of contact with its screwstud and stopping the bell by breaking the local circuit; also, by making contact of itself with spring L it will again establish the linecircuit directly, and so render the whole apparatus available for any other subscriber who may wish to use it. 1

It will be seen that by the above means both the calling and receiving subscribers had their telephonic apparatus put into proper condition for speaking to each other; but none of the other subscribers could have heard anything in consequence of the cams in their instruments, not having put their telephones in circuit, and it is impossible, in consequence of the slots in the disks having revolved out of position to allow of spring K being pressed through, for them to produce any effect whatever (except to ring their own bells) by pressing their buttons. The spring K can therefore now only rest on the top of the disk and put a little pressure thereon, the friction resulting from which the coiled spring of the clock-work is sufficient to overcome, and spring K cannot therefore now byany ordinary means be made to break contact with spring L, and consequently the line-circuit cannot be affected in any way whatever by any subscriber but the caller until the latter brings the apparatus back to its normal zero position.

In adjusting the call-bell mechanism at the several stations the ordinary adjusting-screw ot' the bell mechanism is let out a little, so that the hammers require to make three or four vibrations before striking the bells. The bells therefore are not sounded by the short m0- mentary completion of the local circuit by the cams, as the pointer at each station in turn passes the number or signals denoting that particular station, but will only be rung at that station at whose number or signal the caller allows the pointer to stop or remain ICO Our improved system and apparatus above described may be organized for operation with an open circuit, and may also be used in connection with the various kinds of telegraphic instruments.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is 1. The combination, in a telephonic or telegraphic call apparatus, of, first, an electro magnetic step-by-step or clock mechanism which operates step by step in response to each of a series of pulsations or breaks and makes in the line caused by direct signaling from any callingstation in the circuit; second, indicating devices, substantially such as described, to indicate any given signal or number of pulsations or makes and breaks at any distant station; third, a single key or push-button and its contacts l'oroausin g said pulsations orbreaks and makes; and, fourth, locking mechanism, substantially such as described, which at the first signal or impulse from any calling-station on the circuit renders said key or button inoperative, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. Thecombination, ata given station, of telegraphic or telephonic call apparatus, substantially such as set forth, capable of responding step by step to every signal or break and make in the line caused by direct signaling from any distant station; devices, substantially such as described, for indicating the number of such signals or breaks and makes; a single key or push-button for interrupting the circuit and producing such signals; and mechanism, such as described, which, when the given signal for the station has been received, will throw the transmitter,receiver, and call-hell into circuit, substantially as set forth 8.Thecombination,substantiallyassetforth, at a given station, of telephonic or telegraphic call apparatus through which the main-line circuit normally passes, a receiver,atransmitter, a call-bell, a local circuit, a signaling key or button, and mechanism operated by the first movement of the signaling-button to automatically throw the receiver, transmitter, and callbell into their respective circuits.

4. The combination, substantially as setforth, of, first, a main line; second, two or more stations thereon third, atelephonic or telegraphic call apparatus, substantially such as described, of step-by-step or clock mechanism at each station,which apparatus is controlled step by step directly by the apparatus at any other station and moves step by step in response to each signaling pulsation or break and makein theline caused at any calling station; fourth,a keyor push button at each station for producing such direct pulsations or breaks and makes in the line; and, fifth, locking mechanism, substantially such as described, operated by the first movement of the key or button in signaling atanystation, which renders the keysat theother stations inoperative.

5. The combination, substantially as set forth,

of a main line, and at each station thereon telephonic or telegraphic signaling apparatus capable of responding step by step to direct signals from any distant station; mechanism which automatically locks the signaling-keys at all but the calling-station at the first manipulation of the key or button at the calling-station; indicating devices at each station, whichindicate step by step the number of signals made in calling at any station, and thus show that the line is in use a receiver, transmitter, and call-bell at each station; mechanism,substantially such as described, at each station,which, when the signal from any one station to any other has been completed, will automatically complete the local circuit and sound the bell at the called station, and also throw the transmitter and receiver into their proper circuit or circuits; a signaling button or key at each station; and mechanism which at the first movement of the button automatically completes the local circuit through the call-bell and throws the transmitter and receiver into their proper circuits at the calling-station.

6. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a main line; a telephonic or telegraphic call apparatus capable of responding step by step to each signal of any series received over the line from any calling-station; a device for indicating step by step the signals received; a receiver, a transmitter, a callbell, a local circuit, and induction-coil; mechanism, substantially such as described, which, when the given signal of the station has been received, automatically completes the local cir cuit through the transmitter, call-bell, and primary ot' induction-coil and throws the receiver and secondary of theinduction-coil into the main line at the called station; and atelephone hook or switch, with its inner and outer studs or contacts, which, when in its normal position, (with the telephone thereom) permits the local current to pass through the bell mechanism, but shunts the secondary of the induction-coil and the telephone out of the main line, and in its second position (when the telephone is removed) shunts the call-bell out of circuit and throws the secondary of induction-coil and telephone into line.

7. The combination of a main line; a telephonic or telegraphic signaling apparatus capable of responding step by step, as set forth, to signals received from anydistantstation; a receiver, a transmitter, call-bell, and inductioncoil; a button or key for signaling the other stations on the main line, mechanism operated by themanipulation ot' the sigualingkey, which mechanism at the first manipulation of the key automatically completes the local circuit through the call-bell, transmitter, and primary of the induction-coil and throws the secondary of the induction-coil and receiver to line; and a telephone hook or switch and its studs or contacts, which in its normal position (with the telephone thereon) permits the current to pass through the call-bell, but shunts the secondary phone removed) shunts the call-bell out of the local circuit and throws the telephone and secondary onto the main line.

8. The combination, substantially as set forth, of an electric circuit; two or more stations thereon,each of which responds to its given signal and is capable of calling directly any other station without sounding the alarm at the other stations on the circuit; a signaling-button at the calling-station, which, when operated to call the distant station, throws its transmitter and receiver into their proper circuits; mechanism, substantially such as described, at the receiving-station, which throws its receiver, transmitter, and call-bell into their proper circuits when the given number of signals, pulsations, or makes and breaks for that station have been received; like mechanism at the calling-station; and at the receiving-station a signaling-button and mechanism for throwing the transmitter and receiver into proper circuit when the button is used in calling the distant station, whereby any station on the circuit may call or respond to a call from any other station on the line.

9. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the main line, the contact-springs K and L, the slotted disk H, the outer face of which is insulated and the inner face in connection with the electrical circuit.

10. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the main line, the local circuit, the contact-sprin gs K and L, the slotted disk, constructed substantially as described, the cam I, the contactsprings N and O, and the contactscrew 0.

11. The combination, substantially as herein set forth, of the main line, thelocal circuit, the contact-springs K and L, the push-button, the slotted disk H, constructed substantially as described, the contact-spring P, and its contact, for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination of a local circuit, a callbell, transmitter, and the primary of an induction-coil included in said circuit, the main line, the secondary of the induction-coil and telephone in the main line, and a telephone hook or switch, which in its normal position (with the telephone thereon) shunts the secondary ot' the induction-coil and the telephone out of the main line and permits the local circuit to run through the call-bell, transmitter, and primary of induction-coil, and in its second position (with the telephone removed) shunts the call-bell out of circuit, thus concentrating the local current on the transmitter, and throws the secondary of the induction-coil and telephone into the main line.

A. (3. BROWN. H. A. O. SAUNDERS.

Witnesses-z JOHN DEAN, J. WATT,

Both of 17 Graccchurch St, London. 

